Verdict
The RM121,900 gap is substantial: the Civic Type R costs RM399,900 to deliver 315 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Prelude’s RM278,000, 143-hp 1,993 cc engine, 181-hp motor and 9.0 seconds. For a Malaysian buyer carrying people or luggage, the Type R’s five doors and 410-litre boot are far easier to justify than the Prelude’s three doors and 264 litres. The Prelude counters with e-CVT ease, navigation and a 10-year hybrid-battery warranty; annual road tax differs by only RM1.
Pick the Honda Civic Type R if you want the 315 hp, 420 Nm manual performance car with five doors and a 410-litre boot.
Pick the Honda Prelude if you want to save RM121,900 for an e-CVT hybrid coupe with navigation and a 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage battery warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Honda Civic Type R RM399,900; Honda Prelude RM278,000.
- Output: Honda Civic Type R 315 hp and 420 Nm; Honda Prelude 143-hp engine plus a 181-hp, 315-Nm motor.
- 0-100 km/h: Honda Civic Type R 5.5 seconds; Honda Prelude 9.0 seconds.
- Body and access: Honda Civic Type R five-door hatchback; Honda Prelude three-door coupe.
- Boot space: Honda Civic Type R 410 litres; Honda Prelude 264 litres.
- Transmission: Honda Civic Type R six-speed manual; Honda Prelude e-CVT automatic.
Civic Type R
- 315 hp and 420 Nm with a 5.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- Five doors and a 410-litre boot.
- 9.0-inch touchscreen, eight speakers and wireless Apple CarPlay.
- RM121,900 more expensive.
- Six-speed manual instead of the Prelude’s e-CVT automatic.
- No built-in navigation listed, where the Prelude gets it.
Prelude
- RM121,900 lower purchase price.
- e-CVT automatic, paddle shifts and navigation.
- 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage battery warranty.
- 9.0-second 0-100 km/h time versus the Type R’s 5.5 seconds.
- Three doors and a 264-litre boot versus five doors and 410 litres.
- 40-litre fuel tank versus the Type R’s 47 litres.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM399,900 | RM278,000✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM378 | RM377✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Atkinson Cycle Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | 1,996 cc | 1,993 cc |
| Horsepower | 315 hp✓ | 143 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 189 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.8 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 181 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 315 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Manual | eCVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Manual | e-CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.5 seconds✓ | 9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 272 km/h✓ | 188 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,593 mm | 4,522 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,880 mm |
| Height | 1,407 mm | 1,355 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,734 mm | 2,605 mm |
| Weight | 1,423 kg | 1,469 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 410 litres✓ | 264 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/30R19 | 235/40R19 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Continental PremiumContact 6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Multi Link |
| Front Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19 |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Alloy | 19 |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive Dampers | Adaptive Dampers |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Knee Airbags |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on rear seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable, Driver's Seat Height Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB-A | 1 Front, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 9.0" Advanced Display Audio Touchscreen with 8 Speakers, Wired Android Auto, Wired and Wireless Apple CarPlay | — |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's and Front Passenger's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 10-year/unlimited-mileage high-voltage (hybrid) battery warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Civic Type R & Prelude for sale
Civic Type R vs Prelude FAQ
Is the Honda Civic Type R or Honda Prelude better?
The Civic Type R is better for outright performance and usable space, with 315 hp, 420 Nm, five doors and a 410-litre boot. The Prelude is the better lower-cost automatic hybrid choice, with navigation and longer hybrid-battery cover.
What is the price difference?
The Honda Civic Type R costs RM121,900 more than the Honda Prelude: RM399,900 versus RM278,000. Their annual road tax is almost identical at RM378 and RM377 respectively.
Which has more luggage space?
The Honda Civic Type R does, with a 410-litre boot. The Honda Prelude has 264 litres, leaving the Type R with 146 litres more luggage capacity.